[[{“type”:“media”,“view_mode”:“media_large”,“fid”:null,“attributes”:{“class”:“media-image alignright size-full wp-image-25406”,“typeof”:“foaf:Image”,“style”:“”,“width”:“100”,“height”:“100”,“alt”:“StateImpact”}}]]On average, 2010 Dartmouth grads had $12,000 less debt at graduation than their New Hampshire peers. Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Maria Laskaris ’84 spoke to National Public Radio about the trend.

Laskaris attributed Dartmouth graduates’ relatively low debt level to the College’s need-based financial aid program, which covers the full demonstrated need of all undergraduates and their families. Additionally, Dartmouth’s need-blind admissions process selects the most qualified students regardless of their ability to pay.

“In actuality, a school like Dartmouth can actually be more affordable than your own in-state institution because of the strength of the need-based financial aid program,” Laskaris said.

Read the full story, published by NPR’s StateImpact on 11/14/11.